About the Sussex County Cold Case Unit

Police and prosecutors don't forget unsolved crime cases. But they often don't have the resources to keep old cases on the front burner while also working on the current caseload. This, in turn, may create a public perception that not all that could be done is being done.

A new unit of the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office has been established with the goal of using modern technology, fresh leads and more resources to ultimately solve what are known as "cold cases." In this instance, the term applies specifically to six unsolved murders in Sussex County.

This is good news, particularly for families and friends of victims, who have had to live for many years without closure because those responsible for their loved ones' deaths have not been brought to justice.

The Sussex County Cold Case Unit will upgrade investigation of the unsolved murders by resubmitting evidence to the state police laboratories for further examination using advanced technology in many cases not available when the evidence was originally tested. The county's decision to scrutinize existing evidence through state-of-the-art means, such as DNA testing, is a smart decision that could lead to new information about these old cases. Technology represents a key reason why the unit was formed.

But the human element may ultimately be responsible for its success. The new unit features substantial staffing and relies in part on public participation. Assistant Prosecutor Bruce LaCarrubba leads a staff of six investigators. A 24-hour cold-case hotline (973-383-8830) has been set up, to be used in conjunction with the Prosecutor's Office number (973-383-1570). The new unit hopes to get new information from people who may have seen or heard something suspicious in the years since these crimes were committed. Anonymous calls are accepted. Additionally, the Sussex County Sheriff's Crime Stoppers program offers $1,000 rewards for tips that lead to an arrest.

Prosecutor David Weaver and Charles Catalano, chief of detectives, first discussed the idea of a cold cases unit shortly after Weaver took office in June 2003. They made the unit a priority and received positive feedback and a willingness to assist from local departments and state police. Funding currently comes from the Prosecutor's Office budget, so it would behoove the freeholders to take this important development into account when formulating future budgets.

Weaver and Catalano initially set their sights on these murders:

* Lisa McBride, 27, of Vernon, in 1990;

* Edward Baker, 37, of Vernon, in 1979;

* an unidentified woman found in High Point State Park in 1980;

* Joseph Hoffman, 69, of Wantage, in 1989;

* Lynette Herring, 24, of Newburgh, N.Y., found in Montague in 1992;

* Baby Jacob Gerard, found at a Vernon church in 1994.

The county Prosecutor's Office has investigated 47 homicides since 1978. The goal of the new unit is to leave zero unsolved, using, as LaCarrubba said, "a new set of eyes." For the sake of the loved ones of victims, and the public at large, we hope it is successful.